Grave-filler.



L. P. IMHOEF.

GRAVE-FILLER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 16. 1915.

Patented Apr. 25,1916.

Attorneys THE coLuMmA PLANOGRAPH ,CO., WASHINGTON, D. c.

TIT

LOUIS P. IMHOFF, OF GEORGETOVJN, TEXAS.

GRAVE-FILLER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 25, 1916..

Application filed March 16, 1915. Serial No. 14,747.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, Louis P. TMHOFF, a citizen of the United States, residing at Georgetown, in the county of Williamson and State of Texas, have invented a new and useful Grave-Filler, of which the following is a specification.

The deviceforming the subject matter of this application is adapted to be employed for returning to open graves, the earth which has been dug therefrom, subsequent to the placing of the coffin in the grave.

The invention aims to provide novel means for mounting a dirt holding receptacle, so that the dirt holding receptacle may be shifted longitudinally of the grave.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel means whereby the receptacle may be tilted vertically, thereby to return to the grave, the earth which the receptacle carries.

It is within the scope of the invention to improve generally and to enhance the utility of devices of that type to which the present invention appertains.

With the above and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed can be made within the scope of what is claimed,without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings:-'-Figure 1 shows the invention in top plan; Figs. 2 and 3 are sections on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, 40 the structure in Fig. 2 being shown as it will appear when loaded with earth, Fig. 3

delineating the device in the position which it will assume while the dirt is being dumped back into the grave; Fig. 4: is a v fragmental vertical section wherein sundry portions of the earth holding receptacle appear in elevation.

In carrying out the present invention there is provided an earth holding receptacle 1 comprising a bottom 2, a rear end 3 and sides 4. Mounted upon the bottom 1 relatively near to the front edge thereof are bearings 5 in which is journaled for rotation and mounted to slide longitudinally a shaft 6 terminally provided with wheels 7 of any desired construction. When as is frequently the case, the device herein disclosed is employed upon soft ground, the wheels 7 may be adapted to tracks 8 temporarily laid upon the surface of the soil.

As shown to best advantage in Fig. i, the end wall 3 of the receptacle 1 is provided with a lower bearing 9 and with an upper bearing 10. The upper bearing 10 is in the shape of an angle member and comprises a horizontal flange 11 and a vertical flange 12. Mounted for rotation in the bearing 9 and in the flange 11 of the bearing 10 is a support 14: in the form of a screw. The screw 14: is free to move longitudinally in the parts 9 and 11 and is not threaded therein. At its lower end, the screw 1% is provided with a fork 15 supporting an axle 16 carrying a wheel 17 which, if circumstances demand may be mounted to move along an earth supported track 18. Threaded onto the screw 14 and located between the bearing elements 9 and 11 is a beveled pinion 20, the hub 19 of which coacts with the bearing 9, the parts 9 andll serving to prevent the beveled pinion 20 from moving vertically. The beveled pinion 20 may be described as a nut threaded onto the screw 14 and held between the parts 9 and 11.

Secured to and projecting rearwardly from the end wall 3 of the receptacle 1 are vertical bearings 21 and 22 in which is journaled for rotation a horizontal shaft 23 provided at one end with any suitable means whereby the shaft may be rotated, said means in the present instance being shown in the form of a crank 24. Disposed between the bearing 21 and the flange 12 of the bearing 10 is a beveled pinion 26 which meshes into the beveled pinion 20, the hub 25 of the beveled pinion 26 coacting with the bearing 21.

The numeral 27 indicates the grave and while the grave is being dug, the receptacle 1 is disposed in an approximately horizontal position alongside of the grave as clearly shown in Fig. 2 of the drawing. The earth removed from the grave 27 is cast into the receptacle 1 while the latter is positioned as shown in Fig. 2. During the services of commitment, the receptacle 1 is trundled back away from the grave and when it is desired to fill the grave, the receptacle is restored to the position of Fig. 2. Thereupon, the shaft 23 is rotated through the medium of the crank 24:, the beveled pinion 26 imparting rotation to the beveled pinion 20 which latter will traverse the screw 14, the screw 14 being thrust downwardly.

Thereupon, the receptacle 1 will be elevated into the tilted position of Fig. 3, and the earth which the receptacle carries will be dumped back into the grave 27. A reversal of the operation above described will restore the receptacle 1 to the approximately horizontal position of Fig. 2.

It has been pointed out hereinbefore, that the bearings 5 on the receptacle 1 are adapted to slide longitudinally of the shaft 6. Owing to this construction, the receptacle 1 may be moved longitudinally of the grave so as to clear tombstones, trees or other obstacles which may be located adjacent the grave.

Although the receptacle 1 may be made in various dimensions, the receptacle ordinarily is about six feet wide, so that it may extend the full length of the grave 27.

If desired, keepers 100 may be mounted on the bottom 2 of the receptacle and in these keepers may be slidably disposed handles 101 which, when not in use, may be thrust rearwardly beneath the bottom-2 of the receptacle. The handles may be used for trundling the device about on the rear wheel 17.

At times it may be desirable to lock the screw 14 positively against rotation, and

with this end in view a lock nut 102 is threaded onto the screw 14 and is adapted to cooperate with the flange 11 of the bearing 10} Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is 1. In a device of the class described, a receptacle; a bearing carried by the receptacle and comprising ahorizontal flange and a vertical flange; a second bearing on the re- Gdpies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe ceptacle and cooperatin with the horizontal flange of the first specified bearing; a screw passing freely through the second specified bearing and the horizontal flange; a beveled pinion threaded onto the screw and located between said flange and said bearing; a third bearing cooperating with the vertical flange of the first specified bearing; a shaft journaled for rotation in the vertical flange and in the third bearing; a beveled pinion carried by the shaft and meshing into the screw engaged beveled pinion; and means for supporting the receptacle pivotally adjacent its forward edge.

2. In a grave filler, a receptacle; a pair of side wheels carried by the receptacle adjacent the forward edge of thereceptacle; a vertically adjustable standard carried by the rear portion of the receptacle; a third wheel journaled on the lower end of the standard and located between the side wheels; means for producing relative movement between the standard and the receptacle whereby the receptacle may be inclined with the side wheels as fulcra, to secure a dumping of the receptacle; keepers on the receptacle; and handles in the keepers; the handles constituting means whereby the receptacle may be trundled as a barrow on the third wheel, the handles being slidable in the keepers, whereby the handles may be retracted to permit an inclination and a dumping of the receptacle.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aflixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

LOUIS P. IMHOFF.

Witnesses:

FREDERICK A. MONTGOMERY, JOHN D. HUDsoN.

commissioner of 2mm;

Washington. D. 0. 

